We’re back with our coverage of what we call the Quadrennial International Sporting Event, to avoid the ire of the QISE Committee. The winter games of 2026 are being held at dual cities--Milan and Cortina d’ Amezzo, Italy, with the latter holding the majority of the outside events (you will see “Milano Cortina” listed--it’s not a cookie). Cortina hosted the games 70 years ago, so we’ll see which, if any, of the facilities are being re-used.
As usual, this blog will NOT concentrate on the actual competition as it will the pomp and circumstance, as well as how NBC/Peacock/Kabletown covers it all. We’ll hit the daily highlights, and cover the quirks and scandals.
Here’s what we already know, a day before the opening ceremonies:
Technically, the games have already begun, as some of the team sport tournaments take longer than the actual Games. Downhill Skiing training runs started at 5a EST Wednesday. Keep in mind Milano Cortina is 6 hours later than the US east coast, so we will see a lot of early morning stuff--and virtually no live coverage in prime time (it’s a rerun “curated”).
Unfortunately, there will likely be a pall over the games.
First, US gov’t ICE goons are being sent over, for no apparent reason other than “security”. More like chaos--we’ll see how long it takes for them to cause an international incident. I was really hoping to forget them for two weeks.
Second, the Today Show’s Savannah Guthrie, who was scheduled to co-host both the onsite morning show and the opening ceremonies, is not attending after the apparent kidnapping of her mother. Let’s hope this ends with a happier ending.
Meanwhile, at Kabletown:
Mike Tirico returns as lead sports anchor, although he will show up late, since he’s also hosting the “Superb Owl” on Sunday.
There’s a one hour QISE preview tonight at 8p, which I’m sure will be full of fluff.
Skating play-by-play commentator Terry Gannon will co-host the Opening Ceremony on Friday. Mary Carillo taps in to replace Savannah. QISE icon Shaun White will also drop by.
In order to get the kids to watch, Snoop Dogg will return, doing interviews and hanging out. He was a big hit last time. A battalion of influencers also return to inundate social media.
They always say this, but the network is going “all in” on coverage. Reportedly, every single event in its entirety will be streaming live on Peacock, with wall-to-wall coverage on the broadcast mothership. With some of Kabletown’s networks recently spun off (they are getting out of the buggywhip business), only USA and CNBC will be in the cable mix.
Streaming will include a multiscreen option, so you can watch four events at once OR four different views of the same event, plus “a “Rinkside Live” interactive option (on Peacock mobile) to let you watch hockey or skating and see curated feeds alongside the main action, a real-time medal count, and the “Gold Zone” where Scott Hanson will hopscotch around the games. The mobile app will include mini-games including “Prediction Games” which sounds like sports betting. We’ll try them all.
OK, that’s plenty for now. Tomorrow--the Opening Ceremony will be aired live starting 2p EST (with a pre-show at noon), and an “encore” at 8p.
#It’s_a_me_QISE